The first Android-based phone was released last tuesday by Google and T-mobile, named T-Mobile G1. The new HTC-made phone have a few new touches on it, it may not be that innovative enoough to beat Apple’s iPhone, it certainly have the potential to equal or even beat the iPhone. Here are a few reasons why the T-Mobile G1 can be a potential threat to Apple’s iPhone.

1. Android is an open OS - which means that developing for it is a free-for-all. Handily, that’ll mean more free apps and games than the iPhone’s App Store can throw at us currently as they’ll be offered by networks, content providers and Google alike.

2. Integration with Online Apps - Google is heavily involved here. We’ll get better versions of handy stuff like Google Docs, Talk and Calendar plus Street View mapping on Android-based handsets. And it all comes with a single sign-on.

3. Android is Faster - Android is incredibly fast, tech demos shows that Android doesn’t suffer from the recent glitches the current iPhone firmware has.

4. Better Hardware - The iPhone is high tech hardware, but it remains that phones with features such as HSDPA and better digital cameras appeal to the masses.

5. More Variants - Apple has always been a bit one-size-fits-all. And the iPhone is no different in terms of the hardware (the capacity aside, of course). Android will be available in cheap mobiles as well as expensive ones, and that can only be a good thing.

6. Android have Flash - So Steve Jobs reckons Flash is too intensive for mobile use? We don’t think it’ll be too long before somebody develops a version for Android. In the meantime, websites use Flash, Steve. Get over it.

7. Android won’t be restricted by Apple’s Nuances - Following on from number 6, many Android phones won’t be locked down in the same way that the iPhone is (although how this plays out with networks remains to be seen). More flexibility could mean more fans.

8. Proper Keyboard - The QWERTY slider keyboard on the T-Mobile G1 is the real deal, the iPhone keyboard is a step too far or too small.

9. Better Format Support - Wider support for different formats will appeal to those frustrated by Apple’s restricted model. And bring a whole load of new fans to Android.

10. Andoir doesn’t need to be Jailbroken - Hacking? It’ll be expected with Android (though, once again, we don’t know how this will play out with the networks). Customisation will be the norm, rather than the exception. Jailbreaking? What’s the point?

11. Unrestricted Apps - Apple has banned several apps from the App Store. You won’t get so many restrictions with Android. [via TechRadar]

Well here are the reasons why the first Android-based T-Mobile G1 can be a potential threat to the iPhone, potential, we just have to wait and see the results. All the new smartphone can be a potential threat to the leading smartphone, that is if it is handled properly, given proper apps, features that will give the users what they need.